334 Taverner and Swales, Migration of the Sato-whet Owl. [july 



inconspicuous. We covered but a small portion of the available 

 likely-looking ground, and were actively searching not more than 

 two hours. If our eyes picked up one quarter of those in sight we 

 did well, and if the whole available territory was at that time as 

 densely populated with Saw-whets as the small portion we worked, 

 the total number of this rare species on the Point must have been 

 very great. 



There were very few Accipitres about this time, but there were 

 accompanying the Saw-whets quite a number of Long-eared and 

 Short-eared Owls. Allowing for repeated observation of the same 

 individual, we saw six Long-eared and two Short-eared Owls. 

 Beyond doubt, these larger and close relatives were the offending 

 parties as they would be hunting at night at the only time when, 

 in their foraging, the Saw-whet would be open, to attack; and it is 

 suggested that it is due to the depredations of the Long-eared Owl, 

 which generally hunts the same thickets, that this beautiful little 

 owl is so regularly rare as it is. 



Here, then, are records of four migrational massings of this 

 hitherto supposed resident owl. It was too early in the season to 

 explain their gathering as "winter wandering in search of food," 

 and the close tallying of all the dates point to the conclusion that 

 from the middle to the end of October the Saw-whet Owls migrate 

 in considerable numbers, 'but from- their nocturnal habits and 

 secluded habitats while en route are seldom observed. In all 

 probability, too, such noticeable gatherings are only to be observed 

 in such places as at Point Pelee where a constricted migration route 

 brings many together at one time. Long Point is another place 

 much like Pelee in this regard, and the Lake Huron episodes likely 

 originated in other fly lines across that body of water and of which 

 we as vet know nothing. 



